Current Members of the EiE Extended Network of PD Providers:

ALABAMA

The Institute for Science Education (ISEd) serves as the PK-12 STEM outreach center for the University of Alabama in Huntsville. ISEd partners with the Alabama Department of Education to host one of eleven Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) sites. AMSTI teacher specialists provide educators with highly effective professional development and onsite support in math, science, and engineering education. The AMSTI Materials Center at UAH ISEd also provides hands-on materials directly to classrooms on a quarterly basis. The UAH ISEd has provided EiE professional development opportunities to area schools since 2006.

ARIZONA

Arizona Science Center inspires, educates and engages curious minds through science! The center serves the state of Arizona by engaging audiences from Pre-K to gray via a diverse portfolio of programs and services in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Arizona Science Center encourages hands-on exploration through its innovative physical space, and also extends its programs into the community. Arizona Science Center programs include: field trip and lab experiences, educational workshops, STEM camps and clubs, outreach, assemblies, demonstrations, homeschool programs, and professional development for educators and educational leaders.

Joëlle Clark is a professional development coordinator at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning at Northern Arizona University. She is a science educator and applied anthropologist who has designed, written, and implemented science curricula and professional development programs for K-12 educators, informal educators, and indigenous communities. She has also been active in science education reform efforts and has worked on numerous grant-funded STEM projects. Clark is currently collaborating on ways to help educators integrate science and engineering practices to meet the vision of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Lori Rubino-Hare is also a professional development coordinator at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Northern Arizona University, active in science education reform efforts, and currently collaborating on ways to help educators meet the vision of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and NGSS. She has worked on numerous grant-funded STEM projects for K-12 educators and university faculty, with an emphasis on integration of geospatial technology and project-based instruction. She has 13 years of experience as an elementary and middle school teacher.

Jan David Snyder has a doctorate in science education and, as a retiree with 23 years of experience in the secondary classroom, works in the Arizona State University Schools of Engineering as an outreach coordinator. In addition to training for EiE, which he provides to educators as well as teacher candidates in the ASU Teachers College, he is involved in several other responsibilities that focus on engineering education.

Jen Gutierrez is a K-12 STEM Education Specialist who shares her passion for science/STEM teaching and learning by developing and delivering professional learning opportunities around the U.S. Recently retired after 28 years in public education she remains an active advocate for science and STEM teachers, serving as an executive board member for Arizona Science Teachers Association as well as serving Arizona, Colorado, and Utah on NSTA’s Council as District XIV Director. Jen is a proud member of the Next Generation Science Standards writing team. In 2017 she was selected to serve on the National Academies of Engineering Committee on Educator Capacity Building in PreK-12 Engineering Education.

ARKANSAS

Kristy Kidd is a project director at STEM Starters+, a Department of Education research and demonstration project at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Kristy has facilitated EiE training for over 118 Arkansas elementary teachers as part of STEM Starters+. In addition, she has facilitated EiE workshops around the state of Arkansas and in collaboration with the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Kristy has 21 years of experience teaching elementary and middle school science in the Little Rock Public Schools. Kristy has served as a gifted and talented facilitator for the Little Rock Public Schools, an adjunct professor of early childhood science methods for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and as the K-12 math and science specialist for the eStem Public Charter Schools.

CALIFORNIA

WestEd, a research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. The K-12 Alliance @ WestEd is part of the agency’s STEM unit. The K-12 Alliance provides customized science and mathematics PD. Presently, K-12 Alliance is heavily involved providing professional development for implementing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 8 targeted districts and 2 charter organizations in California. The K-12 Alliance is also collaborating with other state organizations to provide NGSS awareness and transition professional learning experiences for district leaders.

CONNECTICUT

The Connecticut Science Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing science education throughout the state of Connecticut and New England, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all ages, and engaging the community in scientific exploration. The Science Center annually provides educational services that range from professional development workshops for teachers through its newly established Mandell Academy for Teachers, to onsite STEM-related Discovery Center programs, and outreach programs to schools.

FLORIDA

Orlando Science Center (OSC) offers resources for lifelong learning, supports preschool to 12th grade education, and provides content that is relevant to current and future science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning. For schools, we offer teacher professional development, teacher training and in-classroom support for EiE , guided field trips, experimental labs and offsite programming that not only support state standards in Math and Science, but that also help teachers prepare students for the rigor of STEM education and career readiness.

Anji McStravic has been in the education field for 12 years, teaching environmental education, STEM education, and all disciplines of science, K-12, in both formal and informal settings. Anji also provides professional development workshops for educators in various science content areas, and of course, EiE. Anji works closely with elementary educators to establish comfort and confidence in instructing science and engineering concepts.

Kelly Thomas is a Computer Science Instructional Specialist for Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kelly helps to oversee elementary STEM curriculum development projects, and she provides STEM professional development to teachers. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida, where she specialized in elementary math & science education, and she received her Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Florida International University. Prior to her current position, Kelly served as a STEM Magnet Coordinator and Science Coach at the elementary level.

Sarah Von Williamsen is an educator with experience in all aspects of STEM. Her background as a scientist enhances her ability to present science and engineering concepts in an exciting and engaging manner, guiding teachers to feel more relaxed and confident in their own instruction. As a professional development provider, Sarah trains teachers in EiE units as well as various science topics. She has also taught EiE units to students. Sarah works closely with a team of scientists, engineers, local business owners, and educators to enhance and expand STEM opportunities, including EiE, for students in her local community.

ILLINOIS

UChicago STEM Education is a research and development center housed in the Physical Sciences Division at the University of Chicago. We are committed to improving STEM education at all levels through research, practical tools, and direct work with schools. We have numerous and varied partnerships with teachers, schools, and districts to support all components of STEM education in Chicago and nationally. As a result, we have considerable experience developing and tailoring supports that include workshops, expert and peer coaching, study groups, and other formats. Since 2015, our science and engineering professional development team—which includes people with teaching, research, curriculum development. and informal science education experience—has enjoyed providing professional development workshops and classroom coaching focused on EiE through grant-funded and fee-for-service partnerships. We have also begun to incorporate EiE curricula into our direct work with students in camps and other programs. We look forward to supporting even more elementary educators and students with engineering in the future!

INDIANA

J. Adam Scribner is Director of STEM Education Initiatives for the P-16 Center for Research and Collaboration at Indiana University, where he designs and implements programs that advance STEM education. Adam is responsible for outreach to educational organizations and stakeholders to cultivate partnerships that improve teaching and learning. His research focuses on evaluating teacher impact on student understanding of STEM programs. He has presented at numerous national and regional conferences including NSTA, ASEE, and ITEEA. Before joining the P-16 team, Adam was the Manager of STEM Outreach for the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology. A certified biology teacher, Adam taught in Montclair, NJ for 13 years prior to joining CIESE and was named Teacher of the Year in 2007.

KENTUCKY

Laura Keeling is the STEM Lab teacher at Tully Elementary in Louisville, Kentucky. She teaches engineering to 700+ students (grades K–5) using the Engineering is Elementary curriculum. She has conducted EiE trainings for teachers and administrators wishing to address engineering concepts embedded in the NGSS. Laura has 20 years of experience in Elementary Education and has taught EiE since 2009. She has a partnership with the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering Outreach Program.

MASSACHUSETTS

Blue Heron STEM Education has worked with numerous school districts and educational institutions across the country to train educators in STEM education. Carolyn DeCristofano, President, is the former professional development director for Engineering is Elementary (EiE) and has also created graduate level courses for elementary and middle school teachers on engineering and science. Blue Heron can provide standard Engineering is Elementary training, as well as extensions and expansions supporting the EiE curriculum.

MINNESOTA

The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) is a science and technology center with innovative interactive exhibits emphasizing hands-on learning, while continuing to integrate the museum’s longstanding tradition as a natural history museum with scientific research, anthropological collections, and interpretive exhibits. It offers a wide variety of on- and off-site continuing education programs for children, families, adults, and educators. SMM served as one of the field testing centers for the EiE curriculum units, and continues to provide EiE-related teacher workshops and immersive EiE residencies in schools.

NEW JERSEY

The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology develops and supports effective, innovative curricula and professional development and conducts research in order to inspire, catalyze, and strengthen scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematics literacy for K-12 and higher education.

NORTH CAROLINA

Liz Parry is an engineering management/mechanical engineer and an engineering educator with experience at IBM, The Engineering Place at North Carolina State University and as a consultant. She has over 15 years of experience in P20 engineering education research and practice. Liz has worked with the EiE team since the beginning of the program as a consultant and research partner. Currently, she heads a national committee on P12 Engineering Education for the American Society of Engineering Education; teachers first year engineering at NC State; and conducts EiE and integrated STEM professional development across the country. Liz has authored or co-authored over 40 papers, chapters and articles on engineering education.

OHIO

Toby Ratcliffe’s background as a civilian Naval ocean engineer made EiE come alive to the teachers who she engaged with in EiE Professional Development workshops throughout Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Having retired from Federal Service, Toby is now an independent STEM Education consultant EiE PD provider in Ohio.

OREGON

FFSE-Mia Jackson & David Heil - The nonprofit Foundation for Family Science & Engineering (FFSE) is dedicated to engaging young children and their families in exploring science and engineering together. Mia Jackson was a lead author of the Foundation’s recent publication, Family Engineering: An Activity & Event Planning Guide. Trained as an elementary teacher, she has been active in science education for over 20 years, specializing in program development and public outreach. David Heil, President, David Heil & Associates, Inc., has been promoting public understanding of science for over 30 years and is a frequent presenter and workshop leader on STEM education. David was the founding president of the FFSE and lead author of its two publications, Family Science and Family Engineering. The Foundation provides EiE workshops along with other STEM professional development offerings, such as Family Engineering and Family Science.

PENNSYLVANIA

ASSET STEM Education is a national Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education improvement nonprofit. ASSET fosters STEM fluency and college and career readiness by providing educators with highly effective professional development as well as hands-on educational materials and consulting services. ASSET’s evidence-based programs influence the lives of more than 7,000 teachers and 225,000 students across the nation.

TENNESSEE

Stacy Klein-Gardner directs the Center for STEM Education for Girls, a national center based at the Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, TN. She is also an adjoint associate professor of biomedical engineering and radiology and radiological sciences at Vanderbilt University. She provides professional development opportunities both through the Center and on a consultant basis.

TEXAS

De'Lila Holder is the Associate Director of the Texas Tech University T-STEM Center, housed in the Texas Tech University Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering. She is a former teacher, campus principal, and district administrator. Her focus is on helping educators address the challenges of tomorrow’s technology-driven economy by transforming teaching and learning methods, improving achievement in STEM education, and ensuring that all students are future ready. She is passionate about education and feels honored to work with educators, sharing with them her knowledge, encouragement, and dedication to STEM education.

Michelle Sedberry is the K-12 Science Specialist at Region 17 Education Service Center. She has been involved in science education for 15 years as a teacher, Curriculum Developer, District-Level Instructional Science Coach, Aerospace Educator, Aerospace Officer in the Civil Air Patrol, K-12 Science Specialist, and the Project Director for a STEM grant here at the service center. The ESC provides hands-on STEM professional development and support for teachers in our area.

WISCONSIN

Anne Wallisch is a former elementary teacher with 16 years of experience as a professional development consultant. She works with the CESA SciMaTech program to help teachers integrate engineering with elementary science topics, build their confidence with the engineering design process, and develop the pedagogical expertise guiding these units.

Jack Samuelson, aka "Dr. STEM,” is a STEM education consultant with 38 years of experience in classroom instruction, teacher professional development, and K-12 engineering outreach. He has taught middle school and high school science in Waukesha and has served as coordinator of engineering outreach at Marquette University. Jack has facilitated more than 25 EiE workshops in 10 states.